When it comes to fashionable footwear, Sam Edelman is a brand that‘s constantly on the radar of style-savvy shoppers. With a devoted celebrity following and frequent features in fashion magazines, Sam Edelman shoes have solidified a reputation for being ultra-trendy and covetable. But with all the hype surrounding this label, you may be wondering: are Sam Edelman shoes actually good quality, or are you simply paying for the brand name?
As someone who‘s owned multiple pairs of Sam Edelman shoes over the years, I wanted to share an honest, in-depth review of the brand to help you make a more informed purchasing decision. I‘ll be covering everything from the types of shoes Sam Edelman offers to how they measure up in terms of quality, comfort, materials, and more. Consider this your ultimate guide to all things Sam Edelman footwear.
About the Sam Edelman Brand
First, let‘s start with some background on the brand itself. Sam Edelman is a designer footwear label that was founded in 2004 by Sam Edelman and his wife Libby Edelman. With Sam‘s 30+ years of experience in the shoe industry, including time as a senior executive at top footwear brands like Ralph Lauren and Candies, he had a vision to create stylish, high-quality shoes that wouldn‘t break the bank.
The Sam Edelman brand prides itself on offering a fresh, youthful take on classic American style. Edelman once described the aesthetic as "bringing aspiration and fantasy to life in the form of a shoe." With fun, whimsical details, on-trend silhouettes, and eye-catching embellishments, Sam Edelman aims to make every shoe feel special and worthy of building an outfit around.
One reason the brand has become so popular is its association with celebrity style. Sam Edelman shoes are frequently worn by A-list celebrities like Taylor Swift, Emma Roberts, Katy Perry, and Chrissy Teigen, to name a few. The brand is also highly active on social media, with over 483k followers on Instagram, and frequently collaborates with fashion influencers to showcase the shoes. There‘s no denying the "cool factor" of Sam Edelman—but of course, being popular doesn‘t automatically mean the shoes are built to last. So let‘s take a closer look at the actual quality.
Overview of Sam Edelman Shoes
Sam Edelman is primarily known for women‘s shoes, though they recently launched a small men‘s line as well. The brand offers a full range of footwear styles including:
- Sandals (flat, heeled, wedge)
- Heels and pumps
- Flats and loafers
- Sneakers
- Ankle boots and booties
- Tall boots
- Cold weather boots
In terms of aesthetics, Sam Edelman is known for classic-with-a-twist designs. Most of the shoes have a timeless, versatile silhouette but with modern updates in the form of colors, patterns, fabrics, and embellishments. Expect to see a lot of:
- Animal prints like leopard and snakeskin
- Edgy studs, chains, and grommets
- Feminine florals and lace
- Glittery metallic finishes
- Playful patterns like stars and polka dots
- Unique fabric combinations like mesh and velvet
The brand releases new collections each season to keep up with current trends, while also maintaining its signature styles that customers come back to again and again. Some of Sam Edelman‘s most iconic shoes include:
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The Felicia Ballet Flat – A classic round-toe flat with a delicate bow and cushioned insole. A staple for the brand that comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns each season.
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The Loraine Loafer – A polished loafer with a sleek almond toe, metallic bit buckle, and slight heel. An elevated take on the preppy loafer that can easily be dressed up or down.
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The Hazel Pump – A pointed-toe pump with a stiletto heel and low-cut vamp. Endlessly versatile and surprisingly comfortable, this is a go-to for many Sam Edelman fans.
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The Petty Ankle Boot – A fitted ankle bootie with a low stacked heel and subtle Western flair. A must-have for fall and winter in classic suede or leather.
So now that you have an overview of the brand‘s styles, let‘s dive into the actual quality of these shoes and if they‘re worth the investment.
Quality and Materials
In my experience, the quality of Sam Edelman shoes is quite good for a mid-priced footwear brand. The majority of shoes are made with genuine suede or leather uppers, with some fabric styles as well. The leather is usually soft and supple with a nice hand-feel—you can tell it‘s real. I‘ve found the suede to be good quality as well, with a consistent nap and rich color.
The insoles of Sam Edelman shoes are typically padded with extra cushioning at the ball of the foot. Many styles have a breathable fabric lining to keep feet cool and dry. The outsoles are made with durable rubber and have good traction to prevent slipping.
When it comes to hardware like zippers, buckles, and grommets, Sam Edelman uses metal that has some weight to it, not cheap plastic. Decorative elements like studs, chains, and bows are securely attached and don‘t feel flimsy.
The overall construction of the shoes feels solid and well-made. Stitching is neat and even without loose threads, and the shoes maintain their shape well without stretching out or becoming misshapen with wear. I‘ve had pairs of Sam Edelman shoes for 2+ years that still look great after regular use.
While Sam Edelman isn‘t using the most premium Italian leathers or hand-crafted construction techniques, the quality is very good for the price point. These aren‘t cheap, throwaway shoes—they use quality materials and are made to last.
Fit, Comfort and Sizing
When it comes to fit, Sam Edelman shoes are known for running true to size. I typically wear a size 8.5 in shoes and that‘s what I order in Sam Edelman styles. The width is what I would consider "average"—not too narrow or too wide.
One thing to note is that Sam Edelman shoes can take a few wears to fully break in, especially their leather styles. I always anticipate a bit of snugness or stiffness on the first wear, but find the shoes quickly mold to my feet with continued use for a perfect fit. The only exception is the Loraine Loafers—I find they run about a 1/2 size large, so I always size down in that style.
In terms of comfort, Sam Edelman shoes have great cushioning and support. As mentioned, most styles have a generously padded insole that provides bounce and prevents foot fatigue. I can wear styles like the Felicia flats and Loraine loafers all day without my feet getting sore.
For heeled styles like the Hazel pump, the pitch (angle of the foot) is very comfortable and doesn‘t put too much pressure on the ball of the foot. I can walk and stand easily in Sam Edelman heels for extended periods. And with sandals and open-toe styles, I haven‘t had any issues with straps digging in or rubbing against my skin.
Overall, I would give Sam Edelman shoes high marks for fit and comfort. They have a great out-of-the-box fit with minimal break-in time and are easy to wear for long stretches.
What Other Customers Say
Of course, my opinion is just one data point, so I researched what other customers had to say about their experience with Sam Edelman shoes. On the brand‘s website, most of the popular styles had very positive reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/5 stars.
Here are some common themes from customer reviews:
"Super comfortable right out of the box. No break-in period."
"Quality is amazing for the price. The leather is so soft and durable."
"I have multiple pairs of these shoes in different colors—that‘s how much I love them!"
"The cushioning is great. I can walk all day in these without my feet hurting."
"Stylish and well-made. I get compliments every time I wear them."
I did find a few negative reviews from customers who had issues with sizing or found certain styles uncomfortable. The most common complaints were:
"The shoes were too narrow for my feet."
"The ankle strap was too tight and dug into my skin."
"The toe box was shallow and cramped my toes."
"The insole wasn‘t cushioned enough for long periods of walking."
However, the vast majority of reviews were very positive, which aligns with my own experience. And it‘s good to see the brand actively responding to negative reviews and offering exchanges or returns to unsatisfied customers.
Sam Edelman vs Competitors
To really gauge the quality and value of Sam Edelman shoes, it‘s helpful to compare them to similar brands. Sam Edelman‘s main competitors include:
- Steve Madden
- Vince Camuto
- Nine West
- Marc Fisher
- Franco Sarto
- Calvin Klein
Having owned shoes from all of these brands, I would say Sam Edelman is on par with or slightly better quality than most of them. The leather and suede Sam Edelman uses feels more supple and higher-end compared to Steve Madden and Nine West, which can sometimes look synthetic.
Sam Edelman shoes are also very comfortable and well-cushioned, especially compared to cheaper brands like Franco Sarto and Calvin Klein. In terms of aesthetics, I find Sam Edelman to have a wider variety of on-trend, statement-making styles compared to more basic designs from Vince Camuto and Marc Fisher.
Price-wise, Sam Edelman shoes are similar to these competitor brands, usually falling in the $100-$200 range. For the quality of materials and construction you‘re getting, I think Sam Edelman delivers great value. You‘re not paying for the brand name alone—the shoes are made to a high standard that justifies the price tag, especially when you factor in comfort.
Conclusion: Is Sam Edelman Good Quality?
After carefully assessing the materials, construction, fit, comfort, customer reviews, and brand comparisons, my conclusion is that yes, Sam Edelman shoes are good quality and worth the investment.
No, they‘re not cheap, but you‘re getting a well-made product with soft, supple leathers, great cushioning, and on-trend designs. Sam Edelman shoes are comfortable enough for all-day wear without sacrificing style, and they hold up impressively well with time and regular use.
While the brand has a trendy, fashion-forward sensibility, Sam Edelman shoes are still timeless enough to be worn for multiple seasons. Investing in a pair of versatile flats, loafers or ankle boots from Sam Edelman will give you a lot of long-term value.
One important thing to note is the sizing and fit—be sure to read customer reviews on your specific style to see if it runs true to size or if you need to size up or down. It‘s also essential to take proper care of your Sam Edelman shoes by using protective sprays on suede styles, storing them in dust bags when not in use, and taking them to a cobbler for repairs and resoling as needed.
If you‘re willing to invest in a quality pair of shoes, I highly recommend Sam Edelman as a brand that delivers on style, comfort and longevity. You won‘t be disappointed!
